98 Unit 1 Introduction to Healthcare Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. • Immediately report safety hazards to a nearby supervisor. What is a safety hazard? Tangled or frayed wires, any kind of liquid spill in the patient’s room or hallway, hot beverages served to a patient who cannot manage them, the smell of smoke, and a patient who will not stay in bed when bed rest is required are just a few examples. Additionally, a patient’s room crowded with equipment can become a hazard if the patient gets out of bed. • Observe the patient carefully so that you can identify any changes in status. If you see increased coughing, changes in skin color, diffi culty breathing, increased restlessness, change in the level of consciousness, unexpected bleeding, or increased pain, report these events to a supervisor as soon as possible. Do not leave a patient alone when you observe that he or she may be disoriented and confused. Again, report the situation to a supervisor to make sure the patient is safe. • Patients can develop allergies to medications and food, as well as environmental conditions. Watch for signs of allergic reactions. Such signs include rash, diffi culty breathing, coughing, sneezing, tightness in the throat, nausea, skin itching, tingling, redness, or swelling. Allergic reactions can be life threatening if not treated quickly. • Wash your hands upon entering and leaving a patient’s room. Never wear gloves out of a patient’s room. Discard them and wash your hands prior to leaving the room and in between procedures. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of disease. Check Your Understanding 1. Name three safety hazards that could occur in a patient’s room. 2. Before you leave a patient’s room, what precautions should you take with the patient’s bed? 3. Before interacting with a hospitalized patient, what must you do? 4. Does a patient have the right to refuse a treatment prescribed by the doctor? Incident Reports An incident is any event that is not a part of the routine operation of the healthcare facility. An incident could be a patient or visitor falling, a healthcare worker hurting his or her back while lifting a patient, or a patient receiving an incorrect medication. There are also incidents that are not safety-related, such as theft or abusive language from a patient or employee. Incident reports should be used to document both safety- and non-safety- related occurrences. If you see unsafe practices or situations, you must immediately report these incidents to a supervisor in the area. You may be asked to fi ll out an incident report documenting the problem (Figure 4.4). An incident report is an internal document and should not be included in a patient’s medical record. Some facilities use separate reports for employee accidents versus other types of incidents. The reports should be readily available at all times. Expand incident reports forms used in a healthcare facility to document both safety- and non-safety- related events that are not part of a routine operation in the facility